Jaguars Notebook: Tight end Marcedes Lewis still smiling despite slow start to season

Friday

Sep 30, 2011 at 12:53 AM

Vito Stellino

Tight end Marcedes Lewis has four catches so far this season and has missed a game because of injury.

Still, Lewis is walking around the locker room with a smile on his face.

"In my heart, I hate to lose more than I love to win," Lewis said. "For me being a leader, they can't see me with my head down and I don't have a smile on my face. I feel it's my job to always be upbeat because it could be a lot worse. We have good chemistry here with good coaches who care about the players. That keeps us going.

As for having only four catches, he said, "You know what kind of heart I've got. I'm not selfish. They come in bunches. I could have seven catches Sunday with two touchdowns. I'm very patient. I've always been patient my whole life. If you try to do more than what is expected of you each play, that's when you start pressing. I'm confident things are going to be turned around."

The game against New Orleans on Sunday could be a big one for Lewis because the Saints' blitzing schemes could leave him one-on-one down the seam. Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said, "Marcedes is a really good football player, and he is a big target. The tight end position can be the quarterback's best friend."

Del Rio noted that the Saints like to get tight end Jimmy Graham involved in their offense. Graham already has 14 catches.

"We'd like to get our guy involved as well and certainly he's one of our better players," Del Rio said.

No blackout likely

The Jaguars sent a signal they plan to avoid a TV blackout Sunday when they announced they have received a 24-hour extension from the league. Teams ask for an extension when they plan to avoid a blackout, and the Jaguars have only about 1,800 non-premium tickets left.

The Jaguars have 8,763 non-premium tickets left for the game with Cincinnati a week from Sunday and 7,963 tickets left for the Monday night game on Oct. 24 against Baltimore.

More pressure needed

Saints quarterback Drew Brees plans to be patient Sunday.

He said statistics show the Jaguars (who have just three sacks) have put the least amount of pressure on opposing quarterbacks of any team in the league, but they're very good at limiting big plays in their cover 2 scheme.

"You have to be very patient. You have to be very consistent," Brees said. "You have to execute very well and just march the ball down the field. They're kind of waiting for you to make a mistake, so you've just got to be very disciplined with what you're doing."

Scobee on a roll

Special teams coach Russ Purnell said he doesn't want to jinx kicker Josh Scobee by noting he has made all five of his field goal attempts. Last year, Scobee made his first 14 tries, then slumped and made eight of his last 14.

"We've got to jump over that slump that we had last year and finish, go all 16 games and hopefully more, at a very, very high level," Purnell said.

Purnell said to avoid a slump he will try to keep Scobee from overworking in practice.

"He's a tireless worker. He wants to kick every day, so we've got to slow him down sometimes," Purnell said.

Etc.

T Eugene Monroe was limited in practice for the second consecutive day with a shoulder injury. If he can't start, Guy Whimper will likely to move from right to left tackle, Eben Britton would move from left guard to right tackle, and rookie Will Rackley, benched last week, would return to left guard. ... DE Aaron Kampman saw limited duty in practice, a sign he might be able to play in a week or two. ... RB Montell Owens (knee) didn't practice and won't play Sunday. ... DT Leger Douzable (thigh), S Courtney Greene (neck), WR Kassim Osgood (hamstring) and DE Matt Roth (neck) were limited, and their condition will be updated today. CB Derek Cox was limited Thursday with a groin injury after practicing Wednesday. The rest of the players participated in the full practice.

Vito Stellino: (904) 359-4279

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Advertising

Stay Connected

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
The Florida Times-Union ~ 1 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32202 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service